Gut–brain link in Parkinson's disease
Official title: Gut-brain axis in Parkinson's disease
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11176793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether changes in the gut and a nerve connection to the brain lead to Parkinson's disease and its common bowel symptoms in people with Parkinson's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $495,952 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK124098-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with early or prodromal Parkinson's disease who have gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation or gastroparesis would be most relevant to this line of research.
✕Less likely to help
People without Parkinson's or those with very advanced disease are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this preclinical-focused work in the near term.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how problems in the gut might start or worsen Parkinson's by traveling up a nerve to the brain. They use a novel rat model where low-dose environmental toxin plus common dietary proteins cause Parkinson-like brain and gut changes, and then measure gut movement and nerve activity. The team focuses on a nigro-vagal pathway that connects the dopamine neurons in the brain to the brainstem cells controlling the gut and checks how that pathway is altered in disease. The work aims to link early GI symptoms like constipation to later brain changes seen in Parkinson's.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to early gut-based markers or new treatment targets to prevent or slow Parkinson's and help relieve related bowel problems.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and observational studies have supported a gut-to-brain route for Parkinson's and produced similar findings, but translating those results into human therapies has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Subramanian, Thyagarajan — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Subramanian, Thyagarajan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Gut-brain clues in Parkinson’s disease: supplement to a large registry
A plant-wide supplement to an NIH program will enroll people with Parkinson’s, with and without GI symptoms, plus healthy controls, to study how gut function, brain signals, and sleep rhythms relate to Parkinson’s symptoms.
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Gut-brain connections in Parkinson’s disease: how the gut and environment shape symptoms
A Mayo Clinic team is studying how gut problems, environmental factors, and genetics together influence Parkinson’s disease and its GI symptoms to find biomarkers and better understanding of the disease.
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Gut-brain communication in Parkinson’s disease for better symptoms and daily life
This project enrolls people with Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls to build a big registry and study how gut function, brain signals, sleep, and circadian rhythms relate to PD symptoms.
-
Gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease: how gut bugs relate to symptoms and progression
A multi-year study will look at gut bacteria and related markers in people with Parkinson’s disease to understand how the gut-brain connection may influence symptoms and progression.
-
Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s Disease: biomarkers and procedures to track progression
A patient-focused program to study how gut health and the brain interact in Parkinson’s disease using biomarkers and clinical procedures.
-
Understanding posture and movement in Parkinson’s patients to reduce falls
A study using wearable sensors to track real-world balance and movement in people with Parkinson’s disease to help prevent falls.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.